Vocational Education

Key Stage 4

Subject Statement

At Newham PRUs, our optional vocational education programme is designed to provide students with practical, hands-on skills, industry-standard qualifications, and real-world experience to help prepare them for their future careers and further education. We offer specialised pathways delivered in partnership with expert external providers, offering supportive, professional workshop and studio environments where students can build confidence, technical competence, and career portfolios.

Vocational Pathways Offered

1. Fashion & Creative Skills Programme (Caramel Rock)

• Schedule: Mondays, all day
• Overview: A term-long supportive programme where students explore creativity across fashion design (including illustration), pattern cutting, sewing and garment making, textiles, and sustainable upcycling. It helps students build a personal portfolio for future careers in the creative industries.

2. Engineering – City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate (Beckton Skills Centre)

• Schedule: Thursday afternoons
• Overview: A term and a half-long, beginner-friendly course set in a mechanical workshop environment. Students acquire practical engineering skills and safety knowledge across three core modules: Working in Engineering (Unit 101), Turning using a lathe (Unit 104), and Mechanical Maintenance (Unit 114, which includes stripping and rebuilding a brake assembly).

3. Hair & Beauty – VTCT Skills Entry Level 3 Certificate (Sitting Rite Education)

• Schedule: Fridays, all day
• Overview: A full term high-quality training in beauty and wellness covering facials, makeup, skincare, and practical portfolio building aligned with awarding body standards.

4. Employability & Motor Maintenance – City & Guilds Level 1 Award (Beckton Skills Centre)

• Schedule: Friday afternoons
• Overview: A pathway split across the autumn terms to give students two distinct introductory qualifications:

• Autumn 1 (Employability / Construction Skills): A 6-week introduction working in teams using hand and power tools, covering workplace safety and community construction projects (such as timber structures and wall cladding).
• Autumn 2 (Vehicle Systems Maintenance): A 6-week practical course covering basic braking system maintenance, tyre replacement, puncture repair, wheel balancing, and car valeting.

Assessment and Feedback Framework

How Parents and Carers Can Help

• Encourage your child to explore vocational interests and discuss potential career pathways.
• Ensure your child brings any required personal medication on vocational activity days.
• Support regular attendance (aiming for at least 90%) across all vocational placements.
• Encourage your child to build and maintain their portfolio of evidence for their qualifications.